Does live view increases the number of shutter actuations? I heard this before and I just see it now here, but that doesn't sound right, does it? I mean in live view the shutter should remain open all time just like the mirror, no?

The other question you link in italics actually does ask about live view but no one answered that part. And, it's concerned with each frame, which would be a huge number of actuation; I don't think that's your question here.
–
mattdmOct 22 '13 at 17:28

2 Answers
2

In cameras that have a mechanical shutter, which are the only cameras I am aware of with shutter durability ratings, the answer is, "Yes, using Live view will increase the number of shutter actuations."

This is because the shutter does not normally stay open continuously on such cameras when shooting in Live View. What happens when you press the button to take a picture: Shutter closes to block light from striking the sensor-->Sensor resets the photon count at each 'pixel' to zero-->Shutter opens to expose sensor to light-->Each 'pixel' counts the number of photons that strike it-->Shutter closes to block light from striking the sensor-->The data from the sensor, how many photons struck each 'pixel', is read-->Shutter opens to allow light to strike the sensor so that a Live View image can be sent to the camera's LCD. And that is the simple version.

With a typical two curtain focal plane shutter, each shutter cycle includes the first curtain opening, the second curtain following it across the focal plane to close it, and then both curtains traveling back across the focal plane while still overlapped to reset them to their starting positions. When using Live View, the 'starting position' is modified to be with the first curtain already open. When the second curtain closes then both curtains are reset and the first curtain opens to take the picture. Once the exposure has been made, the shutter cycles again by closing the second curtain, resetting both curtains, and opening the first curtain to return to Live View.

So for cameras that operate this way, each Live View session includes two shutter actuations for each image recorded plus one more for the open/close/reset that results from starting and ending the Live View session. If you were to start Live View, take seven exposures, and then end Live View you would actuate the shutter a total of 15 cycles: (7*2)+1=15.

For cameras that allow an option to use electronic first curtain when using Live View (or an electronic viewfinder which is essentially Live View), The number of shutter actuations will only increase by one for each frame recorded plus one additional actuation per session.

There are some mirrorless cameras that take high speed bursts without actuating the mechanical shutter in between frames. Essentially what they are doing is saving each frame of video as an individual image. But I know of no such cameras that have shutter durability ratings, although I haven't specifically searched for such a camera that does have a shutter rating.

It depends on if you have an electronic shutter for LiveView or not. If the shutter is electronic, then it won't matter, if the shutter is mechanical, then even in live view, it will still actuate, the difference is that live view works with the mirror exposed. The mirror is not the shutter.

Many (most?) cameras will still use a mechanical shutter for at least the opening shutter even in LiveView mode. Generally they still use it for both opening and closing, they just open back up after the sensor is read.

The basic order is, sensor is on and mirror is up so you can see live view, you take a photo, shutter closes, sensor is cleared, shutter is opened to begin exposure, exposure occurs, shutter closes, image is read from sensor, shutter opens and live view resumes.